Strength and Sovereignty
VEN95, 2016-2017, 1000 VEF

Slot Comment:

Bolivares Fuertes (Strong Bolivar)

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Note Details

  

Set Details
Note Description: 1000 Bolívares Pick Unlisted 2016 - Printer: CMV
Grade: 67 EPQ
Country: Venezuela
Note Number: VENUNL1000a
Signatures/
Vignettes: 		- Wmk: P. Camejo & 1000
Certification #: 1740967-062
Owner: Revenant
Set Category: World
Set Name: Strength and Sovereignty
Slot Name: VEN95, 2016-2017, 1000 VEF
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

At the time this note was announced, in December 2016, it was worth just under US$0.25.

The front of this note features a portrait of Pedro Camejo. He was a Venezuelan soldier that fought for the royal (Spanish) army before switching sides to fight for the rebels under Simon Bolivar. It probably should not be too surprising that he deserted the royal army since it was never his idea to be part of it – he had been a slave and was “put at the service of the king.” That seems like a very nice way of saying that the Don sent him to fight instead of enlisting himself.

He was the only black officer in the rebel army – having reached the rank of lieutenant. He was also known for his bravery and skill – He was always in the first line of attack in a battle. He used a spear and was what was known as a lancer. These things – one the other or both – are said to have earned him a nickname that, while probably meant in a mostly positive way at the time, would not be acceptable in a modern setting.

He died of injuries sustained in the Battle of Carabobo in 1821, which is the battle that effectively won the war for Gran Colombia’s independence (Gran Colombia being a collection of most of what eventually became Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama).

The back of the notes shows a Giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) with the plains of Los Llanos in the background. The giant armadillo is the largest living species of armadillo. The have more teeth than any other terrestrial mammal – with around 80 to 100 – and their sickle-shaped front claws – which can be up to 22 cm long – are proportionately the largest claws of any living mammal – which is an interesting defensive feature for something that mostly eats termites.

The species inhabits most of South America from Venezuela down into Northern Argentina. But, while they are spread far and wide, they can be locally rare and are considered “vulnerable to extinction” with a population decline estimated at 30-50 percent in the last 30 years. Unlike many other threatened species, they are heavily hunted for meat and are a primary source of protein for some areas – which will no doubt complicate conservation efforts. They are protected by law in over half a dozen South American countries and trading in them is banned but there is still hunting for food and a black market for them. Giant armadillos have never been bred in captivity and tend to die during transport or while in captivity.

Los Llanos (“The Plains”) is a large tropical grassland plain located east of the Andes, between Colombia and Venezuela. The main river in the area – the Orinoco – marks the border between Colombia and Venezuela. During the rainy season (May to October), parts of Los Llanos can flood up to a meter. This turns the woodlands and grassland into a temporary wetland. This flooding made the area unfit for most agriculture until the development of some new modern techniques and gave it a unique mix of wildlife. The area supports around 70 species of water birds, including the scarlet ibis and the white-bearded flycatcher.

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